Chapter Six: A Very Simple Task
Zarek and Cipher returned to Nem'ro's Palace together. They had both contributed to the acts of sabotage at Fa'athra's factory, and they agreed it might help both of them to have someone to corroborate their story. They surrendered their guns to Karrels Javis and strode, side-by-side, into the Hutt's court.
Nem'ro greeted them with enthusiasm.
"The heroes of the hour!" he proclaimed. "I understand that between the two of you, Fa'athra has had a very bad day."
"Karrels Javis deserves much of the credit," Cipher said. "I would have had no reason to visit Fa'athra's factory if not for his intelligence."
Javis beamed at her. Next to him, Toth'lazhen scowled.
"That's what I like from my advisors!" Nem'ro stated. "Initiative. See, Toth'lazhen? You could learn from Karrels."
The Hutt settled his toxic grin on Zarek. "And you! I understand Fa'athra's finances have vanished. How did you manage that?"
Zarek shrugged. "Yalt offered to crash Fa'athra's accounts, so I let him do it."
Nem'ro laughed his throaty, gargling chortle. If sewage were capable of mirth, Zarek reflected, this is what it would sound like.
"From the way Yalt's wife left town, I'm guessing my accountant's last good deed didn't save him. My spies tell me she ran as if all the akk dogs on Hutta were after her."
"You gave me a job to do," Zarek replied. "I don't think you'll have to worry about either of them again."
More of Nem'ro's laughter. "A truly prodigious warrior! So fierce of spirit!"
Zarek had endured enough of this obese slug's sense of humor.
"All right," he said. "I've hopped through your hoops, and I've delivered with interest. Now it's your turn, Nem'ro. Sponsor me in the Great Hunt."
"Soon, my impatient bounty hunter." Nem'ro's wet tongue licking at the gray crevice that was his mouth. "I have just one more task for you to perform. Approach."
Zarek had to force down an aggravated sigh. One more hoop. He stepped toward the Hutt. "What else do you need me to do?" He couldn't quite keep the edge out of his voice.
"A very simple task," Nem'ro assured him. "I need you to die. Bosca!"
The floor opened up beneath Zarek's feet. He fell. Not far – He landed gracelessly on his back, but was uninjured by the fall. Above him, Nem'ro's laughter continued.
He was surrounded by foul sights and smells. To his left was a large pile of what looked like animal droppings. To his right, he saw bones. They looked humanoid, and had clearly been chewed on.
"I'm going to kill you, Nem'ro!" he shouted as he climbed to his feet.
He heard gates opening around him. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he saw creatures lurking behind the gates – akk wolves, k'lor'slugs, and other beasts. All of their eyes were on him. Their prey.
He didn't have his gun, so he grabbed for the nearest available weapon: a well-chewed bone. It would make an acceptable club. He glanced around, furiously seeking something else with which to defend himself.
The floor was closing above him – a grate, which would keep both him and the beasts from attacking Nem'ro while still allowing the Hutt and his guests a view of the action.
Before the floor closed, an object dropped, landing directly beside him. It was a blaster. Tiny, but functional. He dove, came back up with the weapon in his hand.
As he rose, he heard a dull thunk behind him. He pivoted, and saw Cipher standing, a knife in either hand.
She flashed him a grin. "Let's do this, shall we?"
Her voice shook slightly with adrenaline and nervousness. He had just enough time to give a single, quick nod.
The gates finished opening, and the beasts hurled themselves toward them.
He swung his bone club at an akk wolf's head, firing the blaster at another wolf in the same second. The tiny weapon was more powerful than it looked. The wolf he shot collapsed dead on the spot. The k'lor'slug paused in its advance, devouring the easier meat of the dead canine before coming after either of them.
Cipher leapt athletically onto another wolf's back, driving both knives into its neck. The animal Zarek had clubbed recovered, lunged at him. He shot it, while swinging his bone at yet another wolf.
The k'lor'slug continued to ignore them in favor of the corpses they were leaving. Above them, Zarek heard shouts – some of outrage, others of delight. He was certain the various members of the court were taking bets on the outcome.
At the back of the arena, another gate began to rise. It was taller and wider than the others. As it ascended, a deep and hideous roar sounded from the other side.
"I think this is about to get serious," Cipher observed.
She started to draw close to him, but he waved her back. He pointed to one side of the gate, while he moved to the other side.
The gate rose enough for the creature to stick its head through. As he had expected – a rancor.
Cipher reached into her pocket and drew out what looked like a small plastic ball. She threw it onto the gate.
"Duck!" she cried.
Zarek had barely hit the dirt when the explosion sounded. He heard the gate come crashing down. The rancor howled, and the crowd above went quiet.
When he realized he was still alive, Zarek raised his head and turned toward the beast.
The rancor lay dead, its skull crushed by the enormous gate.
"I blew the mechanism as the creature was coming through," Cipher explained, extending her hand to help him to his feet. "The gate crashed right back down on its head. Crude, but effective."
Zarek stared at the dead beast, then at the woman who had saved him.
"Do you always carry explosives around with you?" he asked.
"Well, you know how it is," she said with a smile. "A girl likes to be prepared."
Cipher and Zarek waited in the pit for several minutes, as Nem'ro and his advisors argued above. Finally, a rope was thrown down to them. Zarek ascended first, and she followed.
Guards waited at the top, blasters leveled at their chests. Kaliyo stood at the front. Cipher could read the hunger in the Rattataki's eyes. She wanted nothing more than to start shooting.
Zarek glared at the closest guard, who backed away slightly in response.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't spread your Hutt guts all over this chamber," he called to Nem'ro, not bothering to turn.
Nem'ro let out a low growl, that sounded almost like it belonged to one of the creatures they had just slaughtered. "One word from me, little bounty hunter, and Kaliyo will turn your insides into a necklace." The Hutt glared at Cipher. "You and the hunter slayed my beasts. Why should I not let my head of security destroy you?"
Cipher winked at Kaliyo, then turned to Nem'ro.
"You wanted a spectacle, did you not, mighty Nem'ro?" She spread her arms, playing to the crowd. "Were you not entertained? Was this not more fun than watching the beasts slaughter one unarmed bounty hunter? You took bets on the outcome – and from the smiles I see around me, a few of you did well."
Voices murmured general agreement, and she knew she had the crowd on her side. She also knew Nem'ro was smart enough to be able to read the room.
"I don't like cheaters," she said, staring coldly at Nem'ro. "You promised my friend here something in return for his services. I think it's time you paid up."
More murmurs from the crowd indicated that at least some in the chamber agreed with her.
"I played your game," Zarek said, stepping toward him. His demonic face looked like murder incarnate. "Give me my sponsorship."
A long silence, as Zarek stared daggers at the Hutt. Even with all the guns pointed at Zarek and Cipher, it was clear that Nem'ro felt nervous.
"I cannot," Nem'ro said at last. "I have already given my sponsorship token to someone else." Then his lips split in a grin. "You might yet be able to claim it."
"No more games, Nem'ro," Zarek snapped.
"Just one game, I think," the Hutt replied. "A final one."
Nem'ro somehow managed to lean forward over his bulk. "I gave my token to the Trandoshan bounty hunter, Rarsk. He remains on Hutta, collecting some final bounties to finance his hunt. If you want my token, claim it from him."
"Don't think I won't do just that," Zarek said firmly.
Nem'ro grinned, leaning lazily back again on his throne. "If you succeed, I win. If you fail, I still win. Either way, the toughest man on Hutta goes to The Great Hunt under my name!"
Nem'ro glanced at Cipher.
"You killed my rancor."
She shrugged. "It was in my way."
"Normally, I would kill you for that," Nem'ro said. "But you did me one favor today, and circumstances allow you to do me yet another. To replace the possession you broke. My spies inform me that Fa'athra is arranging to take possession of a rancor egg."
Cipher recognized where this was going. "You want me to liberate the egg," she guessed.
Unfortunately, this also fell in line with Imperial priorities. Possession of a rancor was a status symbol among Hutts. If her impulsive act threw doubt on Nem'ro's dominance of Hutta, then she could expect severe retribution. Particularly with a Sith overseeing the operation.
"Fair enough," she said. "I'll get it for you."
Nem'ro smiled. "Splendid. See, Kaliyo? I told you she would be reasonable."
Kaliyo scowled.
"Juda will give you the details," he told her. "With your friend's assistance, I doubt there will be any problems."
"And why would I go egg hunting for you?" Zarek snapped.
"Because both of your targets will be in the same location," Nem'ro said. "Rarsk plans to collect an Imperial bounty on a Republic scientist. She is waiting for transport off-world at the Poison Pit Cantina… Which is exactly where Fa'athra's agents plan to purchase the rancor egg. Two targets, one location."
Nem'ro laughed yet again as he dismissed them. "Good luck, my hunters!"